The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2 eBook

and beneficial. There where Yudhishthira resides,
the people will certainly be desirous of achieving
what is good, and their hearts will always incline
towards virtue, and their vows being agreeable they
themselves are ever-engaged in the acquisition of
religious merit. O child, that son of Pritha in
whom are intelligence and charity, the highest tranquillity
and undoubted forgiveness, modesty and prosperity,
and fame and great energy and a love for all creatures,
is incapable of being found out (now that he hath
concealed himself) even by Brahmanas, let alone ordinary
persons. The wise Yudhishthira is living in close
disguise in regions whose characteristics I have described.
Regarding his excellent mode of life, I dare not say
anything more. Reflecting well upon all this,
do without loss of time what thou mayst think to be
beneficial, O prince of the Kuru race, if indeed, thou
hast any faith in me.’”

SECTION XXIX

“Vaisampayana said, ’Then Saradwata’s
son, Kripa said, ’What the aged Bhishma hath
said concerning the Pandavas is reasonable, suited
to the occasion, consistent with virtue and profit,
agreeable to the ear, fraught with sound reason, and
worthy of him. Listen also to what I would say
on this subject. It behoveth thee to ascertain
the track they have followed and their abode also
by means of spies,[23] and to adopt that policy which
may bring about thy welfare. O child, he that
is solicitous of his welfare should not disregard
even an ordinary foe. What shall I say, then,
O child, of the Pandavas who are thorough masters of
all weapons in battle. When, therefore, the time
cometh for the reappearance of the high-souled Pandavas,
who, having entered the forest,[24] are now passing
their days in close disguise, thou shouldst ascertain
thy strength both in thy own kingdom and in those
of other kings. Without doubt, the return of
the Pandavas is at hand. When their promised term
of exile is over, the illustrious and mighty sons
of Pritha, endued with immeasurable prowess, will
come hither bursting with energy. Do thou, therefore,
in order to conclude an advantageous treaty with them,
have recourse to sound policy and address thyself
to increase thy forces and improve the treasury.
O child, ascertaining all these, reckon thou thy own
strength in respect of all thy allies weak and strong.[25]
Ascertaining the efficiency, and weakness, and indifference
of thy forces, as also who amongst them are well-affected
and who are disaffected, we should either fight the
foe or make treaty with him. Having recourse
to the arts of conciliation, disunion, chastisement,
bribery, presents and fair behaviour, attack thy foes
and subdue the weak by might, and win over thy allies
and troops and by soft speeches. When thou hast
(by these means) strengthened thy army and filled thy
treasury, entire success will be thine. When
thou hast done all this, thou wilt be able to fight
with powerful enemies that may present themselves,
let alone the sons of Pandu deficient in troops animals
of their own. By adopting all these expedients
according to the customs of thy order, thou wilt,
O foremost of men, attain enduring happiness in due
time!’”